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482nd out of 671 books
—
2,905 voters
Beautiful Sorrows
by
Mercedes M. Yardley (Goodreads Author),
K. Allen Wood (Goodreads Author) , P. Gardner Goldsmith
There is a place where sorrows pile up like snow and rest in your hair like cherry blossoms. Boys have wings, monsters fall in love, women fade into nothingness, and the bones of small children snap like twigs. Darkness will surely devour you—but it will be exquisitely lovely while doing so.
Mercedes M. Yardley’s Beautiful Sorrows is an ephemeral collection encompassing twe...more
Mercedes M. Yardley’s Beautiful Sorrows is an ephemeral collection encompassing twe...more
Paperback, 169 pages
Published
2012
by Shock Totem Publications
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Poignant and fantasticalvignettesleaving you wondering, "What happens next..."
While I'm a true lover of novels, there's a part of me that loves a good collection of short stories. There's something so liberating about their brevity that allows authors and readers alike to try on new subjects like so many sweaters on a cool winter day. And it was in just such an environment, a cold winter break up in Michigan, that I read Ms. Yardley's darkly compelling series of stories.
Ensconced in my winter va...more
While I'm a true lover of novels, there's a part of me that loves a good collection of short stories. There's something so liberating about their brevity that allows authors and readers alike to try on new subjects like so many sweaters on a cool winter day. And it was in just such an environment, a cold winter break up in Michigan, that I read Ms. Yardley's darkly compelling series of stories.
Ensconced in my winter va...more
Imagine an entire book like Joe Hill's short story POP ART and you'd have BEAUTIFUL SORROWS. It's sublime, quirky, off-beat, darkly humorous...but not overly depressing or nihilistic. There's soul here, a strong, pumping heart, boasting just enough melancholia to remind us why life is so precious and beautiful, therefore, its title - BEAUTIFUL SORROWS - is wonderfully apt.
You know when you hear something about a “bold new voice” in such and such? Yeah, this is one of those times. Pay attention, because missing stories this good ought to be a crime. Full review can be found here: http://hellnotes.com/beautiful-sorrow...
REVIEWED: Beautiful Sorrows
WRITTEN BY: Mercedes M. Yardley
PUBLISHED: September, 2012
The title of this collection of short stories really sums up the emotional voice of the author and her writing; beautiful and filled with sorrow. There is happiness, too, a sense of joy in her writing, even in the tales that speak of darkest tragedy. There is pride, and intrigue, and horror as well, but beauty and sorrow seem to play out the most, like yin & yang qualities balancing off each other. The stori...more
WRITTEN BY: Mercedes M. Yardley
PUBLISHED: September, 2012
The title of this collection of short stories really sums up the emotional voice of the author and her writing; beautiful and filled with sorrow. There is happiness, too, a sense of joy in her writing, even in the tales that speak of darkest tragedy. There is pride, and intrigue, and horror as well, but beauty and sorrow seem to play out the most, like yin & yang qualities balancing off each other. The stori...more
One has to be an amazing writer to pull off flash fiction, in my opinion. Mercedes Yardley does it with ease. A single page of her prose has brought tears to my eyes. My only disappointment in this fabulous book is that it ended and I wanted it to go on and on. Yardley's characters are full and fleshy and yet stripped to the bone and almost invisible to the eye. As ethereal as they might appear, they stay with you, just at the edge of your vision. Even the one who disappears completely in her st...more
I could write a book about why "Beautiful Sorrows" by Mercedes M. Yardley is one of the most stunning, poetic, dark, and memorable short fiction collections of the past few years. It's something that every dark fiction and horror fan should have on their shelves.
As I said in my book review, another beauty of this collection is that not every single story is pitch black. There are shades of darkness, some stories being lighter than others, some stories using full black ink, but it’s a wonderful...more
As I said in my book review, another beauty of this collection is that not every single story is pitch black. There are shades of darkness, some stories being lighter than others, some stories using full black ink, but it’s a wonderful...more
I don't think I have ever read a book with a more appropriate name. During my entire journey through these pages I felt a little sad inside. The stories collected here have something in them that touches a place inside of you in a strange, yet familiar way. They have a way of leaving you with tears threatening and a smile at the corner of your lips. I also quite liked the little chalk drawings for each story and the origin ideas talked about at the end.
I truly wish to thank Mrs. Yardley for wri...more
I truly wish to thank Mrs. Yardley for wri...more
I read this because I actually know the author! She is a lovely person, but I wasn't so sure I wanted to read horror stories. It's not something I usually read. I'm so glad I got it. This collection of short stories is amazing. Mercedes writes so vibrantly and beautifully. There is darkness, but there is also beauty. Each story is different. Some are quite funny, some lyrical, some hopeful. Some will give you nightmares. It's still worth the read.
Beautiful Sorrows is not the genre of book I usually read. One, it is short stories, and two, it isn't happy and butterflies and meant for small children (I'm immature). BUT, that being said, once I started it I didn't want to stop, and if I did have to stop I couldn't stop thinking about it. The only way I can describe the writing is hauntingly beautiful, and the stories are poignant and stay with you long after you finish reading.
I could NOT put this book down! It's is one of the best anthologies I've read in a long while. It's filled with whimsy and creepiness all wrapped up into a bit of horror. My favorite story is about Death and his ex-roommate. You'll have to read more to see. ;)
I highly recommend it. You won't be able to stop turning the pages.
I highly recommend it. You won't be able to stop turning the pages.
Horror is not my genre of choice, but this collection is full of whimsy and hope. It's not your typical collection of horror stories. The voice is enchanting and you can't help but fall in love with every. single. character. no matter how small the part played. Even the ones you're supposed to hate.
Dark, devious and delightful. One of the best collections I've read. Mercedes takes you to places you never thought of visiting-all while you experience a wide range of emotions. I laughed and cried, squirmed and cringed...and found a soul mate in Death. A must read!
I don't think I've truly read something that was "hauntingly beautiful" until Mercedes Yardley. Her prose glitters and draws you in, then bites with hidden teeth when you least expect it. Beautiful Sorrows is a wonderful collection by a truly talented author!
Mercedes M. Yardley fills Beautiful Sorrows with whimsy, magic, and oh so much emotion that her stories fly off the page like a lovesick pixie. I loved Beautiful Sorrows, and wholeheartedly recommend it.
I wanted this book to go on forever. Every new story was like meeting a new and fascinating person. I have never known any short story writer to be able to draw you in so deeply in just a few short pages. Finishing each story was like eating the sweetest treat from the dessert tray, and when I finished the last story, I was still not full. I loved this book.
Lyrical, poetic, dark, and heartbreaking. Mercedes writes like an angel with a dagger hidden behind her back. I cannot recommend this enough.
Review up at The Horror Fiction Review.
http://thehorrorfictionreview.blogspo...
http://thehorrorfictionreview.blogspo...
Really enjoyed some of the stories, a few even touched me enough to spark tears, others weren't really for me. I think there is something in this collection for anyone though.
I loved this book! Yardley's collection of short stories were just the right amount of horror, pain, fantasy and beauty. The way she can can bring the characters to life and pull you into the story so quickly is brilliant. I loved the imagery she creates and each story always had a twist I was not expecting. I am pretty sure whimsical horror is my new favorite genre! I can not wait to read more of the author's lovely words telling haunting beautiful stories.
Beautifully written, achingly touching stories that blur the line between reality and dreams. More than once I found myself thinking, "I wish I'd come up with this." Read it and weep.
I am not a big fan of horror but I had to read this book and I loved it.
It is seriously creepy and scary. There is a way to get you so involved in the stories and to feel like you want to get away but you can't.
I can't explain it, it was good. Some stories though, were too real and I was not comfortable reading them.
Definitely great writing!
It is seriously creepy and scary. There is a way to get you so involved in the stories and to feel like you want to get away but you can't.
I can't explain it, it was good. Some stories though, were too real and I was not comfortable reading them.
Definitely great writing!
Dec 19, 2012
Lee Thompson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everybody who understands beauty and tragedy
Recommended to Lee by:
lee thompson
If I could write half as well as Mercedes Yardley I'd be rich and in love with myself.
4 likes · like · see review
May 13, 2013
Lisa
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May 12, 2013
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Dec 19, 2012 11:43am